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Crosby ceremony a night to remember for Flames prospect Zavgorodniy

Author of the article:

Wes Gilbertson

Publishing date:

September 29, 2019 • 4 minute read

Dmitry Zavgorodniy and Ryan McLeod fight for the possession of the puck during the battle of Alberta prospects game at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. Azin Ghaffari/Postmedia CalgaryAzin Ghaffari/ Azin Ghaffari/Postmedia Calgary

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And roared …

Before the Rimouski Oceanic raised Sidney Crosby’s No. 87 jersey to the rafters in Friday’s special ceremony, fans of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League squad treated the superstar centre to a spine-tingling standing ovation that seemed like it might never end.

“Oh yeah, it was probably like 10 minutes,” said Calgary Flames prospect Dmitry Zavgorodniy, one of the current go-to guys for the QMJHL’s Oceanic. “Every time it was time for applause, it was a standing ovation. Like, a lot. It was so loud and so crazy. I think he enjoyed it, and I think it’s an unforgettable night for us. It gave us a lot of energy for the game.

“That’s a night to remember, you know? It was a full house and, like, a thousand tickets were just stand-up only. Everybody was so pumped. It was crazy to be there and see the guy to who we are all thankful for what he did for us and what he’s shown for us.”

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Crosby’s ascent to becoming one of the all-time greats included a pair of winters in Rimouski, where was a back-to-back winner of both the league scoring title and MVP accolades and led the Oceanic to a QMJHL crown and Memorial Cup invite in 2005.

In a grand total of 143 junior outings, including regular-season and playoff appearances, he piled up 141 goals and 350 points.

It was revealed during Friday’s salute that his No. 87 will not only be off-limits for future use in Rimouski, but will be retired league-wide.

A few hours later, with No. 89 on his back, Zavgorodniy helped ensure that Friday’s crowd at Sun Life Financial Coliseum headed home happy.

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With about six minutes remaining in regulation, the 19-year-old right-winger — a seventh-round selection of the Flames in the 2018 NHL Draft — scored the tying tally on a wrist-shot through traffic.

Zavgorodniy capped a three-point performance with an assist on Alexis Lafreniere’s overtime winner as the Oceanic prevented the Sherbrooke Phoenix from spoiling the special occasion.

“For sure, it means a lot that Crosby was at the game and was watching. I think everybody was trying to show their best game,” said Zavgorodniy, reminiscing about the unforgettable weekend. “It’s like, we had to win, you know? We didn’t have any choice. So, of course, it was meaning a lot. It gave us a lot of energy and we were doing whatever it takes to win and show everyone that we can play a good hockey in front of the big crowd.”

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The pinch-me moments didn’t end with the walk-off win.

“Sidney came to our locker-room after the game, and he’s just a usual guy,” Zavgorodniy said. “He just came to say hi and say ‘Good job for the game,’ and shake hands with the whole team and we took pictures with him and he spoke with some guys. He’s just a nice guy. And that’s unbelievable, to be a star like that and the best hockey player in the world probably and to be like that.”

Before his meet-and-greet with Crosby, Zavgorodniy was running shoulders with the likes of Johnny Gaudreau and Mark Giordano at his second training camp with the Flames.

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Since being returned to the Oceanic, the skilled and speedy Russian has one goal, a half-dozen points and a plus-6 rating in four regular-season spins.

“It was a good camp in Calgary, I think,” Zavgorodniy said. “I played with some older guys who play in the NHL and to see some pros — how they’re acting in the room, how they’re reacting on the ice — is good for me. Every time, I’m trying to take something good from them. I think my progression is going well. I’m trying to get better every day and want to have a good season here.

“I just want to stay in the present and play the game that I have that day. Just put a big effort every day, and be a big part of our team. Of course, a big goal is the Cup and everything, but the biggest thing is to play just one game only and put that effort every time. To do it consistently every game during the season and during playoffs, that’s my goal.”

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While they understand Sid was a generational talent, every guy in Rimouski is hoping to eventually follow Crosby’s skate-strides to The Show.

You could certainly pick a worse role model than a dude who owns three Stanley Cup rings, two Olympic gold medals and a schwack of individual trophies.

“He’s shown us that it’s a good place to play hockey and it’s a good place to start something good,” Zavgorodniy said. “Good things happened in Rimouski, and are happening. It shows us that if you’re going to do good, take care of each other, take care of yourself, be a good teammate, be just a good guy … It could happen.”

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